Laura Kowal, a retired hospital executive from Galena, Illinois, decided to start dating again after the loss of her husband of 24 years. She joined an online dating site for safety and met a man named Frank Borg who claimed to be a Swedish investment adviser. The relationship began with romantic emails and phone calls but soon turned furtive. In August 2020, Kowal’s daughter, Kelly Gowe, received a call from a federal investigator informing her that her mother may have been a victim of a fraud scam.
Gowe’s life was transformed after her mother’s tragic death, and she has since dedicated herself to raising awareness about romance scams. More than 64,000 Americans were defrauded of over $1.14 billion by romance scammers in the past year, with many being too ashamed to report it. The Deputy Assistant Attorney General attributes this to embarrassment and shame felt by victims, and emphasizes that sophisticated fraudsters manipulate victims using technology. Gowe aims to educate people and promote change by sharing her mother’s story.
Laura Kowal’s story is not unique, as many individuals have fallen victim to romance scams. Victims come from all backgrounds and demographics, and even sophisticated individuals have been targeted. The rise in scam activity on dating sites and social media platforms has been attributed to advancements in technology and electronic money transfers. Law enforcement struggles to keep up with fraudsters who utilize playbooks and sophisticated techniques to manipulate victims.
Gowe’s experience began with a voicemail from a federal investigator informing her of her mother’s potential involvement in a fraud scam. Her mother’s relationship with Frank, the alleged scammer, involved manipulation and coercion resulting in Kowal sending $1.5 million to a fake company. The relationship started with romantic emails but evolved into transactional exchanges leading to financial ruin. Gowe believes her mother felt she had no other choice but to participate in illegal behaviors.
Kowal’s body was recovered from the Mississippi River, and her death was initially assumed to be a suicide based on evidence found. However, Gowe remains troubled by the incongruities of the case and believes there may be more to the story. Law enforcement has been unable to verify the true identity of “Frank” or determine the circumstances surrounding Kowal’s death. Gowe has dedicated herself to seeking answers and raising awareness about romance scams as an advocate for victims.
Gowe has left her job to share her mother’s story as a cautionary tale and advocate for victims of romance scams. She has spoken at events to educate people on the dangers of online scams and encourages financial institutions and law enforcement to do more to protect victims. Gowe believes that sharing her mother’s story can help prevent others from falling victim to the crime of romance scamming and seeks justice for her mother’s tragic end.
